My wheel is turned very slightly to the left when going straight. Some have said it is alignment issue, however, I cannot feel any pull to either side.

Also, 1) the steering wheel has very faint evenly spaced clicks, 2) has a point where it sound like it rubs (about ~2:30 position), and 3) has a loud click at about 10:00 position--these all occur when the wheel is being turned.

What is causing the wheel to be off-center and are the noises normal?

FS

 

the toe can be fine but still not correctly lined w/ the steering wheel. it's still an alignment issue. not sure about those noises though...

 

it is an alignment issue with your steering wheel off-center. as for the noises it sounds like an airbag clock-spring, or"sliding contact" as mazda likes to call them

 

Is it normal to be able to distinctly hear the noises?

 

no its not normal... but it is just two pieces of plastic spinning around with a ribbon of electrical wires wound inside it.... so the potential to make noise is surely there

 

Thanks, mazdatech177. I think I'll have Mazda take a look just to make sure everything is okay.

Just curious, are you really a Mazda Tech?

FS

 

yes i am, mazda master tech

 

I bought my 05 brand new in 06 and it was off then......car drives straight with no signs of tire wear.

 

can a DIY home mechanic (aka Me) correct the slightly off center steering wheel issue? or do i really have to pay another 80 bucs for a full alignment?

 

How long ago did you have it aligned? If you just had it aligned and the wheel is off-center, take it back and have them do it right. On some cars you can pull the wheel off and turn it a spline or two to align it, but that leaves the steering rack off-center.

If the wheel was once centered, and it went off-center by itself, you should get it aligned. Something is worn or bent or broken.

Ken

 

Hi guys,

Im experiencing the same thing. My wheel is slightly off center. A few degrees to the left. It started a few days after my alignement was done... then it started to track to the right a bit.

Now... I've recently replaced my coilovers and had alignment done again. Same thing as before, a few days later wheels track to the right, and thus I have to turn the steering a few degrees to the left to compensate.... AND there is a noticable "Pang" sound when I press the break. Only in the front left. Sounded like the brake caliper is loose. Its not. Guaranteed. So after several attempts to find what the hell this noise is, I give up because everything around the suspension looks tight as F###. So what could it be?

Then today, the Pang is happening more often. Not just on breaking, but with every minor bump on the road. "Pang".... bump "Pang".

If something is broken with the steering, and I'm scared to think so - but if there is something broken where do I go to fix this? or is this probably one of those, "Go to the local wrecker and poach a new-used steering rack?.

I'm getting more and more nervous thinking my steering might just suddenly cease - I mean.... could it? should I be this concerned?

Any advice is most welcome!

 

This reminds me to fix my own steering wheel after a recent swap. Just 1 spline out is all it takes. It's a pretty straight forward job.
The bang sound is likely your coilovers if I read correctly. Some of them are terrible depending on quality and how they are set up also. I would be starting there! Could be a spacer missing or a preload issue. When you get it sorted please post your solution here to those sounds to help others out!

 

The pang could also be the LCA bolts. I had that twice after control arm replacement. But yeah if you touched a thing and now that thing makes noise, odds are the problem is in the thing.

Your steering center wandering is not a great sign at all, btw, could be a ball joint. You don't want that to go too long.

 

If the wheel is crooked take it back..... it shouldn't be. If they did it where I think they did..... they will fix it.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/...off-center.pdf

https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/...-18-wheels.pdf


https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...letins-183774/

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